Coping strategies adopted by Sri Lankan doctors to deal with stress

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Doctors face psychological difficulties due to the nature of their occupation. This study was aimed at identifying work-related stress encountered by Sri Lankan doctors during practice and the available psychological support to deal with them effectively. METHODS: Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with 32 doctors belonging to all categories (Intern house officers (IHO), staff-grade medical officers, postgraduate trainees and consultants) and all 5 clinical specialties (Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Psychiatry) attached to North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. The. audio-recordings were transcribed and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Despite considerable work related stress experienced by doctors, access to help was limited during practice. Deficiencies in the psychological support provided by the healthcare system, inconsistencies in senior support, ignorance of rules and regulations and unhelpful legislations appeared to be contributory. However, several informal means were employed by doctors to relieve their work related stress. The main coping strategies were discussions with seniors and colleagues, teamwork and religious practices. Implementation of a formal system providing professional support and mentorship, reducing the ratio of patients to medical and non-medical staff by proper allocation of human resources, flexible working locations and shift basis for work, were proposed as remedial measures by the participants. CONCLUSION: In Sri Lanka, there is no formal mechanism to help doctors in difficulty and stress. They are satisfied with the informal and inconsistent coping strategies they use, as they have no other choice. Setting-up a formal system is appreciated by many